Trigg County Hospital CEO Alisa Coleman (above) was one of many who spoke at a hearing on rural hospital finances, which was held Thursday afternoon at Caldwell Medical Center. It was one of many such hearings that was put on by Kentucky State Auditor Adam Edelen (below).

Kentucky State Auditor Adam Edelen heard from many hospital officials and workers, including those from Trigg County Hospital, on Thursday afternoon at Caldwell Medical Center in Princeton.

The main topic of conversation was what many hospital officials see as the slow and low reimbursement rates by Managed Care Organizations operating in the state as part of the Medicaid Managed Care program, and the effect that has on rural hospitals. Edelen said about 45 percent of people in the state use rural hospitals, among them Trigg County Hospital.

“The reason I’m so interested in healthcare generally, and rural hospitals specifically, is that you cannot overstate how important rural hospitals are to Kentucky,” Edelen said. “In a state that is both poor and unhealthy, we have to have a rural healthcare network that is sustainable.”

Local officials present at the hearing included Trigg County Judge Executive Hollis Alexander, District Five Magistrate Richard Nelson, Trigg County Hospital CEO Alisa Coleman and Trigg County Ambulance Director Allen Jones.

For the rest of this story, see this week's issue of The Cadiz Record or subscribe to our e-Edition by calling 270-522-6605.